JI chief slams govt over debt, announces protest against IPPs after Ramadan

HARRIPUR: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday criticized ruling parties for accumulating debt and burdening the public and announced a nationwide campaign against independent power producers (IPPs) after Ramadan.

Speaking at a public rally in Haripur, Rehman said that the government was squeezing citizens “through loans upon loans” while electricity costs remain high.

He said that after solar power, hydropower could provide the cheapest electricity, and questioned why previously approved dam projects had not been completed.

“When small dams are proposed, the public asks what happened to the dams started years ago,” he said.

Rehman criticized the dominance of political families in Pakistan, alleging that dynasties control both the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

He said the country was ruled by a consortium of landlords, generals, and politicians, leaving little space for genuine democracy.

“If there is no democracy in these parties, how can they deliver democracy to the country?” he asked.

The JI chief also commented on regional and international politics, calling Israel a “killer and terrorist” and criticizing Pakistan’s leadership for engaging with former U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as a supporter of Israel. He warned that those placing hope in Trump’s influence would ultimately fail.

He said that after Ramadan, Jamaat-e-Islami would launch a countrywide movement targeting IPPs, which he said were favored by corrupt elements within the government at the expense of taxpayers.

“Due to government mismanagement, taxes have increased and the nation is weighed down by debt payments. Mafias within the government have squeezed the public to benefit the IPPs,” he said.

He highlighted youth participation, referencing the Bangladesh elections, where he said young voters had strongly supported the JI despite years of political restrictions and bans.

“Securing 67 seats in Bangladesh is almost like a revolution,” he said, urging Pakistani youth to prepare for a major struggle against the IPP system.

Rehman also called on opposition parties to join the JI in resisting policies that favour private power companies.